Golf results, March 29

Updated 10:57 pm, Saturday, March 29, 2014

Steven Bowditch opened a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Texas Open, and Phil Mickelson withdrew after 10 holes because of a pulled muscle in his right side.

Bowditch, a 30-year-old Australian seeking his first PGA Tour title, shot a 4-under 68 to reach 12-under at TPC San Antonio. Matt Kuchar and Andrew Loupe were tied for second. Kuchar shot 65, and Loupe had a 70.

"I've won four or five times between Australia and Web.com," said Bowditch, who would get into the Masters with a victory. "I've got a little experience, but not a great deal, especially at this level. I've never slept on a lead, so we'll see how we go."

Mickelson withdrew after pulling the muscle teeing off on No. 1 - his 10th hole of the round. He hopes to play next week in the Houston Open, the last event before the Masters.

"I pulled a muscle on my downswing trying to hit it hard," Mickelson said in a statement. "It just killed and it wouldn't subside for 10 or 12 seconds. I'm going back to San Diego (for) a couple of days and have a doctor look at it, but there's really not much you can do for a pulled muscle. I hope I'll be OK to play the Shell in Houston, but I just don't know."

Mickelson was 1-over par in the round and 4-over overall when the three-time Masters champion was taken off the course in a cart. His caddie, Jim Mackay, said Mickelson felt a twinge on his tee shot on No. 1.

Photo: Darren Carroll, Getty Images

Image 1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

Australia's Steven Bowditch would get a Masters berth by winning the Texas Open.

Australia's Steven Bowditch would get a Masters berth by winning the Texas Open.

Photo: Darren Carroll, Getty Images

Golf results, March 29

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

"It's definitely not his back," Mackay said. "It's his right side. The thing he had been talking about is how good his back had been feeling here. He'll definitely play Houston, if he can."

It's the second time this year Mickelson has withdrawn during a tournament. He pulled out at Torrey Pines because of a back injury.

LPGA Tour: Cristie Kerr made a 55-foot par-saving putt after hitting her final approach into the water, giving her a share of the lead with Lizette Salas after the third round of the Kia Classic in Carlsbad (San Diego County). Kerr finished with a 2-under 70 to match Salas (69) at 10-under 206 at Aviara.

EurAsia Cup: Asia staged an improbable Ryder Cup-like comeback on the final day, picking up seven of 10 points available in singles to level the score at 10-10 and share the inaugural trophy with Europe.

Trailing 7-3 going into the final day, Asia briefly took the lead at 9 1/2-8 1/2 before Joost Luiten beat Koumei Oda 1 up to pull the Europeans level. Hideto Tanihara halved the final match with Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.